POPVOX Foundation releases report on Congressional casework during Afghanistan withdrawal
“American Ingenuity: Congressional Casework in the Afghanistan Withdrawal,” a new report from the nonpartisan POPVOX Foundation, details the extraordinary efforts of Congressional caseworkers working in collaboration with federal agency staff and non-governmental organizations to facilitate the evacuation of thousands of Americans and American allies during the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Standing Room Only: House Administration’s Must-Watch Hearing on AI in Congress
On January 30, Committee on House Administration Chair Bryan Steil [R, WI] and Ranking Member Joe Morelle [D, NY] welcomed witnesses from Legislative branch agencies to a packed committee room for updates on how their organizations are innovating with artificial intelligence (AI).
Tech Policy Press: US Congress Moves to Take Advantage of AI
The US Congress has been at the forefront of embracing AI, establishing an AI working group, implementing monthly AI transparency reports, and modernizing its operations during the pandemic. This proactive approach sets the US apart as a world leader in adopting innovative technologies within the legislative branch.
Cyber Policy Leadership Institute’s Inaugural Session
On January 23, 2024, the Cyber Policy Leadership Institute (CPLI) held its first session at Crowdstrike headquarters, where its inaugural class of eight students received an introduction on cybersecurity policy from public policy experts.
POPVOX Foundation & First Branch Intern Project host “Internapalooza” for the 118th Congress
On January 18, 2024, POPVOX Foundation and the organizations of the First Branch Intern Project hosted the eighth “Internapalooza” orientation and welcome event for the spring class of Congressional interns.
POPVOX Foundation hosts casework history webinar with Senate Historical Office’s Associate Historian
On January 17, 2024, POPVOX Foundation kicked off the Casework Navigator webinar series with special guest Daniel Holt, Associate Historian from the Senate Historical Office. This event put modern casework in context, exploring how we got here, and what we can learn from previous iterations of casework to chart the future of democratic representation in America.
POPVOX Foundation Report Reveals How AI Can Transform Congressional Operations
Representative Bodies in the AI Era provides an overview of how artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have been gradually adopted in the legislative workflows of parliaments globally over the past decades.
Northeastern’s CivicConnect Team Builds Congressional Office Chatbot Prototype
Northeastern students have built the first Congressional office chatbot prototype. The customizable, open source bot (CivicConnect) can learn from office documents to craft responses to constituents aligned with the representative’s policies. The CivicConnect team developed CivicConnect to streamline communication, reduce response times, and handle high volumes of correspondence.
How I came to DC in 1998 and created a fellows program to help Congress leave the Cold War behind
Georgetown’s Lorelei Kelly chronicles her experience setting up and managing a fellowship program at the start of the new millennium — in hopes that others can learn from that experience.
2023: A Monumental Year for POPVOX Foundation
As we take stock of an eventful year, we see significant progress in Congressional capacity — much of it under the radar and out of the headlines. We at POPVOX Foundation have been hard at work on our mission to make government work better for everyone, and are proud of what we have accomplished in 2023.
Foundation for American Innovation and POPVOX Foundation Create Guide to Using AI in Your Congressional Office
The Foundation for American Innovation and POPVOX Foundation created a short guide for Capitol Hill staff to the risks and benefits of AI tools, and best practices for their smart and safe adoption.
Where the House and Senate are on Internal AI
While debates continue across Capitol Hill on approaches to regulation of artificial intelligence, institutional offices within the House of Representatives are taking steps to prepare for the impending paradigm shift.
International Legislative Modernization Working Group Discusses Constituent Outreach
Participants from the International Legislative Modernization Working Group gathered to discuss existing initiatives that promote constituent outreach, including Mexico’s Portal Ciudadano and Chile’s Congreso Virtual.
The Senate Issues Guidelines for Responsible Internal AI Usage
The US Senate’s guidance, authorizing the use of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Microsoft’s Bing Chat AI, and Google’s Bard for research and evaluation purposes, is a notable step in the institution’s experimentation of how AI-enabled tools can augment staff capacity, boosting productivity and efficiency.
ICYMI: Empowering Legislative Staff with AI on Capitol Hill
POPVOX Foundation and R Street Institute recently hosted an introductory discussion on the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the workflows of Congressional legislative staff. The event included an overview of current institutional guidance and featured insights from prior Hill staff and policy experts.
ICYMI: Embracing AI in Congressional Communications
POPVOX Foundation and R Street Institute hosted an introductory discussion on the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the workflows of Congressional communications staff. The event included an overview of current institutional guidance and featured insights from communications experts.
POPVOX Foundation welcomes Madeline Pira
POPVOX Foundation welcomes new intern Madeline Pira. Maddie is a sophomore majoring in Political Science at Washington University in St. Louis (WashU).
POPVOX Foundation hosts webinar on diagnosing problems with Congressional casework
Don Moynihan, McCourt Chair at the Georgetown McCourt School of Public Policy, has pioneered the study of administrative burden, including new language and frameworks to understand the types of costs associated with navigating complex bureaucracies. This webinar offered caseworkers a deeper understanding of the root problems behind common casework inquiries, and ideas for tracking types of casework and articulating casework challenges to policy staff.
Choosing the Next Comptroller General: Shaping the Future of Government Accountability
The next Comptroller General must possess qualifications ranging from financial auditing expertise to a deep understanding of modern Congress and emerging science and technology issues. This decision will shape the GAO's future, ensuring it remains an innovative, efficient, and indispensable partner for a responsive and accountable modern Congress.
The Hill (Opinion): How to curtail the tradition of violence between members of Congress
Recent incidents of violence on Capitol Hill bring to light a historical pattern of aggression among lawmakers. What are the roots of congressional violence and how can we foster a safer, more respectful and productive legislative environment?